Verlet Swing – Nintendo Switch Review

Verlet Swing comes to the switch to bring some fast-paced hook shot action that gives a glimpse of what it’d be like to be a hero in Spider-Man, Attack on Titan, or The Legend of Zelda. Highly regarded since its release on Steam last year, we finally get to try it out on our favourite handheld system June 14.

The world is set up like an acid trip. Each level will have its own theme. Sometimes this means you’ll be flying around large slices of pizza, others dodging giant fish, all the while bright neon colours fill the trippy landscape. The rules always remain the same. Do not collide with anything, else it’s game over. The goal is to use the environment to swing around obstacles to land safely at a predesignated spot. The levels are formed in a way that there is no right or wrong way to get there. It will be challenging to find the fastest route, and perfect the hook shot connections. As you continue, elements in the level will change, with connections proving different reactions.

Things will be fast paced as you jump from one connection to the next. Trajectory and speed solely depend on your camera angle and time of release. You’ll have to react quickly to make your connections, and this is where the switch port starts to deteriorate. The camera controls are stiff and awkward. You’ll end up missing your mark and falling, or attaching to something far in the distance, and well, hitting the ground. As the game progresses it demands quicker reflexes and accuracy that’s hard to achieve. A mouse and keyboard would come in handy here. You can change the sensitivity settings to help as much as possible, but it still won’t always feel satisfactory.

We should also note, it’s better played docked with a pro controller vs handheld. The main driving force to continue to the next level will solely be to see what insane design you will find. For those who are competitive, the game does offer leaderboards to push perfecting each level.

Final Words:

Visually exceptional and wonderfully unique, Verlet Swing looks gorgeous and stays interesting. The fast-paced gameplay slows to a halt at times, held back from poor controls. This game didn’t receive the proper port it deserves, but still offers a fun experience.